Mansfield Town goalkeeper Alan Marriott cannot wait to take to the pitch against Liverpool

FORMER Lincoln stalwart Alan Marriott had some sympathy for his former club after helping Stags to knock them out the FA Cup.

And, as he looked forward to a career-high moment of facing Liverpool, Marriott admitted he has had to take some flak from Imps fans.

“My brother-in-law is a season ticket holder at Lincoln and my missus’ dad is a Lincoln fan too,” he said. “So there have been some interesting conversations – or lack of conversations – since the replay, so I am keeping a low profile.

“I have also had a bit of stick at my lad’s school with some snide comments from parents. But you have to do what you have to do as a professional.

“It was only the second time I’d played against Lincoln since I had nine years there.

“It was tough as I knew the financial state of the club and what getting through could do for them. But you have to do the right thing for yourself and this game is a dream come true for me and I hope I can take my little lad out as a mascot against Liverpool too.”

He added: “I have played in quite a few big games in my career like play-off finals. But the Lincoln game was certainly a different type of atmosphere.

“I have never been to the third round of the cup and not many players get the opportunity to play against Liverpool, so this is extra-special.

“We can go out and enjoy it without any pressure and the club should make some money out of it.

“Everyone gets the chance to play against players they see on the TV every week.

“Some friends who haven’t got Suarez in their dream team have said can we do them a favour and take him out for the rest of the season.

“It is going to be a bit of a circus atmosphere here until 6th January, but we have to concentrate on getting league points as promotion is our main aim.”